The Spirit is Still Here

I live in the suburbs of Chicago, IL. You may have seen the photos of what we received last week, over twenty inches of snow in less than twenty-four hours. It was amazing and wonderful and awe inspiring and big. Very big.
What we were given was a chance to help and help we did. If you watch the nightly news you will see people killing people, people cheating people, people hurting people. This nightly stream enters our sub- conscious and we begin to believe the spirit of kindness is dead, the spirit of good is gone and the spirit of helping has been buried. Believe me when I tell you, the Spirit is alive and well.
People opened their hearts, shared their snow blowers and lent a shovel and a pair of shoulders to dig out cars and clear driveways. People waved at each other. For a day or two our nightly news showed people helping people, people helping pets, people not complaining.
The Spirit is alive and well. You need not have twenty plus inches of snow to find evidence of this Spirit but you do need the snow and the hardship to make the nightly news.
Have a beautiful day.

What is Success?

The following was submitted by our dear friend, Sherle Stevens. Sherle is a woman who makes an impact on her environment and in the lives of all those who are lucky enough to know her. Sherle's business cards read:
Sherle Stevens
Intuitive Life Strategist

   Guidance and support for remembering your Soul's Purpose

   And creating a Life you love

www.theherosjourney.net

Somewhere on her cards, those of us who know her, would like the word amazing to appear. Ms. Stevens is a testimony to living life fully and is an example of how to add years to a life without growing old.

She may be reached through her website www.theherosjourney.net or by email  cabaretjazz@hotmail.com

Enjoy Sherle Stevens take on success.

SUCCESS

I have been abused -physically, sexually, mentally and emotionally. I have been abandoned, rejected and betrayed.

I have also been loved, respected, cherished and adored – and fully supported. Great gifts have been bestowed on me.

Amazingly, all these actions, behaviors and attitudes have been perpetuated by me toward myself! All the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’ – all the ‘light’ and the ‘dark’. Yes, they began in childhood and originated with other perpetrators, but as I grew up and grew older, they all became an internalized part of me – my own voice, my own actions, my own beliefs, my own behaviors, my own choices.

And yet here I stand at 72 – happier and more fulfilled than ever before in my whole life, and looking ahead to a radiant future. How is that possible?

After years of questioning, therapies of various types (some healing, some not) – I have finally stepped fully into my Life’s Purpose as set forth in my original Soul’s Contract.

I could say I wasted 40 years in a ‘successful’ career as an artist that brought me applause and a comfortable lifestyle, but no joy or sense of fulfillment.

But looking back on that time, 12 years after the end of it – I can see that I was always living my Life’s Purpose. I was just not giving it any acknowledgment or much shelf space. It was my sideline – helping others – while I spent most of my time drawing and painting, my own heart empty of expression as I did.

Now I see that I have always had one hand reaching forward into the future, and the other reaching back to try to hoist someone I loved up to the next rung of the emotional/psycho-spiritual ladder. Usually by insisting on reading a passage from a book that was inspiring me or sharing an AHA from whatever healing therapy I was currently practicing.

I had spent my childhood feeling suicidal while pinning my every hope on the possibilities I saw in the movies, of families who were different than mine. I became determined to find the people who were living the life I longed for.

Let me assure you that during these years anyone looking in on us from outside would have seen a safe and financially adequate situation;  a home with two parents, only one child (me), who always received food, clothing and an education – even college.

It was a long road to uncovering the source of my pain and lack of self-esteem in such a ‘good’ family. In the various therapies I pursued I was always surrounded by others whose stories were of horrific loss and neglect. It was difficult not to compare my life and feel that I should simply stop hurting and shut up. But I stayed with it until I could unravel my pain, understand it, and finally – forgive it.

And what did I find at the bottom of the barrel? A severe shortage of self-love. There. It’s as simple as that. And yet that is everything.

I’ve come to believe that everyone simply wants to be seen, and then loved for what is seen. If you’re lucky, you may find this mirror in the eyes of someone who does see you – and loves you for what they see. Or you may have to make this discovery all on your own.  Either way – you must claim it for yourself – your own love for what you see in you.

Once understood and made aware of the power of the old pattern– I found that this is an ongoing pursuit, and that I must continue to choose to affirm myself with love. Unconditionally.

It’s at once an empowering and humbling awakening, and has finally evolved into making my Life’s Purpose my everyday vocation – professionally and personally. I love it so much that I am never ‘off duty’. And what is my Life’s Purpose? It is to be the Reminder – to remind others who choose to work with me of their greatness, of who they are, to remind them of their dreams for themselves, to connect them to their Life’s Purpose through reading their Soul’s Contract in their Birth Charts.  And if they choose – coaching them to reach into their pain from the past, to crack open the door to living from the joy of their own being. To healing their hearts so they may truly love themselves, and become fully alive! I rejoice along with them in their transformations. I am fulfilled. This is success.

What If Up?!

On August 28, 1963, before a crowd of more than 200,000 people, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a 17-minute speech that changed the world. Although he did not live to see his dream come to fruition, and indeed we are still en route to that mountaintop, the dream remains as a guiding light for those of us who seek to create a more just and peace-filled world.

Today is the celebration of the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr. Perhaps he is one of the finest examples of what one man can do. But, are there things we can do, ways of thinking, feelings to nurture that would move us closer to seeing the impact each of us has on this extraordinary world we live in?

Part of our community building weekend, What One Man Can Do” includes an opportunity to participate in an exercise we call “What If Up?”  It give us the chance to see new possibilities for ourselves and others. This technology was developed by my friend, Mindy Audlin, who is making a huge difference with her organization, the “What If Up Club.” Check out Mindy’s work - she is a bundle of energy and possibility!  http://whatifup.com/

The exercise we do is energy-filled, and an exciting prospect to think in such positive terms. It seems as though it’s the “natural” thing to do is to focus on “What if Down?” “What if I fail, what if I don’t get the support I want, what if I make a fool of myself, what if I’m wrong?” What is stopping us from looking in the opposite direction? “What if I am the one who is meant to create peace in the world, what if it all goes right, what if there is no difference between me and MLK, what if we could say what is on our mind and still be loved anyway?” It’s like a muscle that we need to exercise in order for it to be stronger and more useful to us.

So what stops us from moving in this positive direction? Are we afraid that we would then have to be responsible for what we say? Are we afraid that it’s going to be too much work? Are we afraid that if we spoke our minds that someone might make us wrong or perhaps even harm us for our beliefs? All of these thoughts and fears have run through my mind at one time or another. It always comes down to, “What is my commitment?”

Some of us are happy to make a difference in our families or with one person at a time. Or perhaps it’s just perfect if we are able to take care of ourselves and let peace begin inside of each of us. However we choose to live our lives, can we focus on the upside as opposed to the downside? The answer is, of course, we can! But again, what are we committed to, truly?

Another difference-maker I greatly admire is my friend, Jan Garrett. Jan is from Aspen, Colorado and is committed to making a difference through songwriting. She collaborates with her talented husband, JD Martin. 

She and JD, along with their associate and friend, Ester Nicholson, wrote a most moving and inspiring song called, “I Believe This Belongs To You.” Some of the things written about their music are:  

A feast of Musical Endorphins!

Masterfully cohesive, well-being made audible

Deep optimism, unmitigated fun

Wise lyrics, kick-ass harmonies

Tasty tunes performed & recorded with a twinkle

and decades of soulful experience

If you do nothing else today, please do yourself the great favor of listening to the song. You can find it through this link: http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/167463/4ca337bffd/6000315  

I promise you, it’s a life-changing, thought-provoking song. Let it in...it will be well worth it. Check it out...

2011 is My Year of _________!

2011 - a new year! A new year means new opportunities to commit or re-commit to all sorts of things - health regimens, daily rituals, education, personal growth (is there any other kind?), etc. As someone who is passionate about life, I have designated this to be My Year of Peace.
I intend to make Peace my yearlong priority in several ways: writing about it in articles, blogs and journals; speculating (and asking others to speculate) on what might occur The Day Before World Peace (don't you love that concept - I do!); asking others to consider how they might attempt to win the Nobel Prize for Peace (again, just thinking in such terms has to make a difference); and ending conversations and emails with my word of intention: Peace!
If this appeals to you at all, I invite you to find the answer for you to fill in the blank:
2011 is My Year of ______. Allow the answer to come - do not think!
Then, let the actions that emerge from your heart lead you through the year. New habits, new rituals, new expansions for yourself.
Peace!
 

A gift from Dennis

Thank you to Dennis for writing the following: He sent this to our facebook at what One Man Do group. I love it! It is a great Christmas gift. Thank you, Dennis.

Dennis Ducey

I HEAR HIM SINGING

By Dennis Ducey August 17, 1999
Dedicated to the memory of John Denver.

...Once there was a bright and shining Star
who’s voice and words filled my days with joy ---
and whose deeds set an example to guide my way ---

I heard him singing, Songs for all Lovers
Songs that expressed my deepest love - for my lady ---
As if he had looked into - my soul,
and wrote them just for me ---
and I knew that millions felt the same ---

I heard him Singing - Songs for all children,
Songs to End Hunger
Songs to End W-a-r ----
and they touched my soul ----

I heard him Singing - Songs for the Mountains,
Songs for the Rivers,
the Flowers,
and the Trees ----
and they filled my heart with hope and joy ----

I heard him Singing with the voice of an Angle
of his Love for You and for Me -----
and it brought tears to my eyes ---

And now I feel my heart is breaking, there’s an emptiness in side ---
I fear the Light that Brightened my days will shine no more ---
that voice that seem to come from within me ---
that expressed the things I couldn’t find the words to say ---

With the voice of an angle he gave words to my deepest feelings,
words I could not find or express, he expressed with such beauty,
and clarity they spoke directly to my soul -----
He became - - the voice of my soul ------

Oh I know his music lives on and often brightens my days ----
but I never know when his songs will bring tears to my eyes,
or a sense of loss that threatens to overwhelm me ----

And when I think, the emptiness inside me, is more than I can bare ---
I turn to the Mountains and look for there;
I search for him there in the flight of an Eagle,
or the sight of wild horses running free ----

And I hear him singing in the forest, as the wind whispers through the trees
He’s telling us - All that live here - where born to be free ----

I hear him Singing in sounds of the river,
Singing - I want to run Free ------

I hear him Singing in the Cry of an Eagle,
telling us to Be All That We Can Be ----
to stand up for our Mother the Earth,
for the Children, -- to End Hunger, -- to End War ----
and when we do He will be standing there beside us ----

And with a tear in my eye I KNOW he is HERE within YOU, within ME --
And I know the light he has brought into our lives need not go out,
for he has passed the torch to You --- and to Me,
In his songs and his deeds he has shown us the path to a Brighter World ---

Embrace one or more of the causes he worked for, with all your heart and soul,
In your hart you know what to do, find the courage to take a dedicated stand,
and let the knowledge that you can make a difference, brighten your day ---

And if all of that Love him stand up and do one thing to make the world a better
place ---
------- We will surly create a Glow that will light the world. -------

Merry Christmas

As some of you know, my husband and I are living with my 92 year old father-in-law. We have been here for four years and it has had a huge impact on our life. The impacts and insights continue almost daily. This Christmas I have been especially touched by the two men who help us care for our 92 year old.
Chris and Marek have become a part of our family and this year I bought stockings that matched ours and hung them above the fireplace.
Chris approached me last week and very shyly asked if I was complete with my holiday shopping. I had barely begun composing the list of what we were buying and gave him that information. He then mentioned that he had noticed the stocking with the embroidered "C". "I am thinking the "C" is for Chris and that it is for me." Chris is normally not shy and I was wondering what he was trying to say. He then said, "If you have not gotten something for me, I have a special item I would like." My first thought was. "Good." I was struggling on what to get this man who loves our 92 year old almost as much as we do.
Chris the asked that we make a donation to the Jesuit Refugee Service to benefit the Haiti Earthquake Relief. Chris had heard a Jesuit speak at church recently. He was deeply moved and wanted to make a difference. His difference is to give his gifts to those who are suffering this year. This is not surprising. Chris is a man who gives daily. He gives not only to us. He works 50.5 hours a week, is actively involved in his homeowners association and the Eastern European community he is a part of. On Sundays you will see him at church volunteering at the "after the service" cafe.
We have honored Chris's wish to take the money we would have spent on his gifts and written a check to the Jesuits. I wanted to send the money in his name but Chris would have none of that. The gift was anonymous. The gift of Chris is anything but anonymous.
If you would like to contribute, you may write a check to the Jesuit Refugee Service/USA and send it to : 1016 16 Street NW Suite 500  Washington DC 20036. Let them know it is for the Haiti Earthquake Relief.
Have a Light filled season.

End of Year Reflections

The end of one year and the start of a New Year has always been one of my favorite times of the year. I imagine a white board filled with diagrams, words, drawings and possibly even some numbers and then I am able to erase all the overlapping lines and once again I have a brand new, sparklingly clean, white board. A fresh start. A chance to improve. A new beginning.
As we close out 2010 it is a good time to reflect on what you would like to erase and also what you may want to keep.
2009 was a year I wanted to throw a great deal away but 2010 has been a year of treasures. There are memories, situations and experiences that I will be holding on to and bringing  out often to ooh and aah over. It has been a good year. We conducted two What One Man Can Do Gatherings, one in Ireland and the other in Austin, Texas. I was able to see my youngest daughter cross the finish line in her very first marathon. My family gathered in Lake Tahoe this year and all the children and grand-children were together along with nieces and great nephews and sisters. I love gatherings, especially with my large family. This year Peter and I celebrated 20 years of marriage and my belief that men leave was shattered permanently. Many gifts and many treasures. I am grateful for 2010.
As I sort through the year, there will be items I will want to throw out, my overindulgence and short term gratification are leaving. They have served me well and I no longer want or need them. In their place I am expanding gentleness of speech and long term fulfillment. I am also playing with the idea of starting a running program (no promises) and growing my meditation and prayer experiences.
What are you planning? What will you keep and what will you toss out?
Here are a few questions that may help you decide:
1.How effective have you been with the time you were given this year?
2.Who are the most important people in your life and how often do you connect with them? Do they know they are important, do you tell them?
3.What do you most regret from this year?
4. What have you done to deepen and/or broaden your relationships this past year?
5.How often have you laughed?
6.Whose life have you improved?
7. Who improved your life?
8.Do you have a dream that you took no action on this past year?
9.What type of communication have you used this year?
10.Who do you want to forgive? Who do you want to forgive you?
Have a wonder filled holiday season. You are in our hearts. Happy New Year!